Sure, it’s unfortunate that trends dominate the market, but the reality is that keeping up with the Joneses is a worldwide phenomenon.

So when it comes to a home made of face brick, or even those old red roof tiles, you might find yourself holding onto your house for a little bit longer if you’re trying to sell it.

This is according to Sotheby’s, who pointed out various features which work and don’t work across the country.

Their executive director, Sandy Geffen, explained that “there is a very close correlation between a property’s uniqueness and the size of the potential buyer pool”, reports BusinessTech.

Here’s more:

The higher the property rates on the “interesting” scale, the more significantly that pool shrinks – and this can impact both return on investment and length of time needed to sell, said Geffen.

“That said, unusual features can have great appeal, especially when the general characteristics of the home are in line with current trends.”

But other apart from the investment side of things, what are these unique aspects which attract buyers? Well, they are different all over the country, actually.

Cape Town

Buyers in Noordhoek and the False Bay area are looking for open plan living areas with lots of natural light, as well as eco-friendly systems that save water and reduce the cost of energy.

They also want the all-important north-facing houses which offer warmth and protection from the south easter.

The Deep South are an easy bunch compared to the rest, however.

Pretoria East

Quality kitchen tops and cupboards with minimalist contemporary lines are the most sought-after aspect of homes in Pretoria. Marble tops have even made a strong comeback.

“Bathrooms are equally important to buyers, who mostly also prefer minimalist designs. Vanities in solid wood are very trendy and monochrome colour schemes are most popular.”

[Estate agent Juanita] du Plessis also pointed to energy efficiency becoming a key aspect for buyers in her area, with LED lighting, solar geysers and water tanks being the most commonly requested and installed.

Johannesburg (Midrand)

In a league of its own, Grahame Diedericks reports that amazing features are what clinch the deals. Hidden wine cellars, state-of-the-art smart home automation systems, exquisite entertainment areas and luxurious spa bathrooms are all in:

“However, there are also more common features that can sway buyers and one of the most noticeable trends in our area at the moment is fold-back patio doors because they allow for more spacious living and entertainment areas and create an open flow through the property.”

Fold-back patio doors – how about that?

Johannesburg (Waverley, Oaklands and Norwood)

Extra-high ceilings, a perfectly placed balcony or a cute bay window are all aspects of houses that attract buyers – and that’s not all, explain Kobus Venter and Marc Maron:

“Low maintenance gardens top the list of outdoor space requests and many buyers now even prefer bore-holes to pools in today’s economy.

Large gardens used to be strong selling points, but buyers are increasingly seeking more compact gardens that need less attention, use less water and offer more security.

People are also becoming more averse to long commutes in the growing traffic congestion and first prize is to be within easy driving distance of their places of worship, regular shops, work place and children’s schools.”

Place all of those desires into one house and you have a winner, but what are the other aspects turning people off?

Bright wall colours like yellow and red, wall-to-wall carpeting, traditional wallpaper and, when it comes to security, the garage being situated too far from the house are all factors that put people off.

Good luck landing that sale.

[source:businesstech]